Manuka honey can be a monofloral honey that is predominantly produced in many places of New Zealand. It can be different from everybody else varieties of honey because the bees source the pollen and nectar almost entirely through the flowers of Manuka Trees (Leptospermum Scoparium). These trees are closely linked to the Tea Trees; and occur naturally throughout Nz and southeast Australia but are particularly common in high densities in the drier eastern coastal area of the North Island of recent Zealand.

Like all other honey varieties, Manuka Honey demonstrates anti-bacterial properties due to a good peroxide and the natural acidic pH. Some batches with the honey have demonstrated additional anti-microbial activity unique to Manuka variety; this extra trait has been termed the initial Manuka Factor (UMF). This UMF may be Manuka Honey's claim they can fame. Excellent honey that demonstrates this special trait is regarded as medicinal grade honey and possesses been demonstrated in laboratories tests to kill even antibiotic resistant microbes.

Regular versus UMF Active Honey

Don't assume all Manuka Honey possesses the special UMF trait. An example of each and every batch with the honey must undergo rigorous laboratory testing to ascertain if it batch demonstrates any antiseptic properties over and above those attributed to the peroxide and acidic pH. No more than 10% of all batches produced are found to be UMF active. A load created in an area a single season could be UMF active and a batch produced in the identical area another year is probably not UMF active. It's not clear why only a few batches in a few seasons develop the special UMF activity. All batches of honey which do show UMF activity are termed UMF Manuka Honey or Healing Honey while those batches that do not develop any UMF activity are termed regular honey. You should understand why distinction when buying this special honey for therapeutic use.

UMF Honey Association

To help standardize laboratory testing and protect consumers from counterfeit products, the Manuka industry in Nz formed the UMF Manuka Honey Association (UMFMHA). All producers of this honey are needed to be licensed by this association. The UMFMHA maintains examples of each batch of honey produced and performs testing on each batch using a alternative party to determine the UMF activity from the batch. Additionally, the association also sets guidelines on labeling of relevant products to ensure a fairly easy and standardized label format. Normally this format dictates that active manuka honey products needs to have a UMF accompanied by several (from 1 to twenty) for the label. The quantity denotes the UMF activity with 20 is the most active. So a honey labeled UMF 5 has less UMF activity compared to a honey labeled UMF15. As being a guideline, any batches that are UMF10 or more are considered medicinal grade honey. The factors and compliance procedures established through the UMFMHA have been in addition for a normal food safety procedures administered from the government of latest Zealand.

Health Benefits of Manuka Honey

The aboriginal people of latest Zealand have known about the tremendous health improvements of this special honey for hundreds of years. It features a astounding to take care of wounds when applied topically. The compounds which can make inside the UMF activity from the honey can penetrate deep to the skin to neutralize even deep seeded infections. The honey also has a tendency to stimulate tissue regeneration; thereby minimizing scarring. This honey been specifically used as remedy for acne and it's also very beneficial for treating tooth infections. After tooth extraction, application of the honey is shown to minimize the risk of making a dry socket; the painful condition considered to derive from premature dissolving in the blood clot after the tooth is slowly removed. There is also evidence indicating that Manuka Honey can alleviate gastric ulcers. Always first consult with a health practitioner before using Manuka Honey to help remedy any health problems.